【Friday Fun in Taiwan】Lantern Festival Countdown & Cherry Blossom Season at Wuling Nearing Its End

The 2014 Central Taiwan Lantern Festival kicked off today at Wenxin Forest Park. This year features an astonishing number of lantern sets, with a total of 8 major themes, 17 large lantern zones, and hundreds of individual lantern displays. The international lantern section includes the Sichuan Zigong Lantern Area’s “Auspicious New Spring” and “Grand Palace Lantern” sets, where red lantern bodies are adorned with two koi fish and a unicorn-like flying horse, creating an impressive sight. The Xiamen Lantern Area showcases the festive “Southern Fujian Mansion” lantern set, along with the “Experience Macau—Moving Moments” Macau lantern set, which highlights iconic spots such as Macau’s Ruins of St. Paul’s and the Macau Tower.

 

Date: Now until February 23

Venue: Wenxin Forest Park, Taichung City

The early spring cherry blossom spectacle—Wuling Farm’s Cherry Blossom Season—runs from now until February 24. According to the Wuling Farm official website, the park is currently graced with blooming white and pink plum blossoms as well as purplish-red mountain cherry blossoms, while the “Red Pink Beauty” cherry blossoms are still in bud. The best time to view the flowers is approximately from now until February 29. Additionally, Wuling Farm enforces a daily visitor limit of 6,000 people during the cherry blossom season and conducts nightly park closures. Except for guests with lodging, camping, or hiking reservations and staff, the farm will be completely cleared of visitors at night. Travelers without a valid vehicle pass issued by the farm are advised not to enter Provincial Highway 124, as access will be restricted and entry to the farm will not be permitted.

 

Date: Now until February 24

Venue: Wuling Farm

The 25th edition of the “2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival,” held for the first time in Zhongxing New Village, Nantou, began today and runs until February 23. Themed “Love for the Earth, Heart of Taiwan,” the festival designates the area around Zhongxing Hall’s main field as the “Main Lantern Area,” extends to the “North Lantern Area” at the Provincial Government Circle and the “South Lantern Area” at the Taipei Arena, and connects these via the “Green Tunnel” along Guanghua Road and Guangrong North Road. This layout integrates Zhongxing New Village and the Taiwan Lantern Festival seamlessly, allowing visitors to “enjoy greenery by day and lanterns by night.”

 

Date: Now until February 23

Venue: Zhongxing New Village, Nantou